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Grand Archive TCG

2025 Grand Archive Ascent Utrecht Closing Ceremony Highlights

January 27, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

The first European Ascent event was held in Utrecht this weekend, and it was an exciting time for the game. Make sure you check out the VOD on the official Grand Archive Youtube channell for high quality coverage of the event. The production keeps getting better with each event, and its a great place to start learning the meta.

Aside from its exciting gameplay, there was some exciting news that you aren’t going to want to miss. As always, I’ve collected all the important details in one place for you to enjoy! If you’re looking to pick up some Grand Archive, always support your LGS. If that isn’t an option, you can always get product from TCG Player using my affiliate link.

2025 Nationals Schedule Announced!

The schedule for Nationals have been announced. Specific dates are too come, but we have locations and months! It’s time to get grinding for Nationals!

Day 2 Promos

Like last year, players who qualify for Day 2 will receive a unique Sword of Seeking promo you aren’t going to want to miss out. This card is so pretty and it makes me wish I was better at the game.

Nationals Prize Card

Nationals finalists will get their hands on a beautiful Eternal Magistrate alt art. If haven’t been motivated to get good this season, you’re going to want to after seeing it.

Nationals Pre-registration Gift

Players who pre-register for Nationals will receive a special backpack. I’ll try to make the announcement as soon as pre-registration goes live, but the official Discord is a fantastic place to stay on top of the announcements.

Ascent Worlds

Ascent worlds will be in Anaheim this year, June 27 to the 29th. Tickets go on sale on the February 2nd, so make sure you start planning accordingly. Remember, this year you can qualify for worlds through normal means or the gauntlet, so keep on grinding!

Worlds Promo

This year’s worlds promo is a beautiful Spurn to Ash that belongs in everyone’s collection.

and there is a VIP variant!

Developer Stream Announcement

The most exciting news is the Developer stream happening on February 1st. This will officially kick of the Abyssal Heaven spoiler season, and have some important notes on the upcoming supplement set. You aren’t going to miss out, but I’ll be covering the key points shortly after. Stay tuned for that.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive: Most of the Mortal Ambition Set List Revealed!

October 6, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

The Mortal Ambition set list is live, and the art is just as good as I expected. There is a good amount of valuable reprints, new powerful cards I am desperate to try, and some fantastic CSRs to collect. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player through my affiliate link. I would wait for release for pricing to stabilize though.

Water

Fire

Wind

Norm

Exia

Tera

Luxem

Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem Relaunches Kickstarter

October 2, 2024 josechurape 1 Comment

After a successful initial campaign, the developers behind Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem decided to cancel the campaign and relaunch it with better goals. Those who backed the initial campaign have been compensated, and the developers have been working diligently with their growing community to make sure the game launches at its best state.

If you aren’t part of the official Discord, you should join today. It is the best place to stay up to date on all the news, meet other members of the community, and even help with playtesting There is always something going on whether it is a casual chat with the creator or a competative draft tournament on TTS, like the one happening this Saturday (10/5/2024).

The Kickstarter is live and has already blown well past its target. Make sure you go back the project to unlock some sweet exclusives. Although the team seems motivated and trustworthy, there is always risk when backing a Kickstarter. Use your discretion.

What is Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem?

Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem is a tactical TCG coming to Kickstarter. Players control powerful Paragon who control an army of monsters as they fight for supremacy. The game features interesting mechanics, movement, and beautiful art. I am a huge fan of the mana and health system.

How to play

The developers have a fantastic tutorial up on their YouTube:

Quickstart Guide

Paragon Monster & Mayhem Quickstart Guide 8-29-24 Download

Product Features

Get Your VIP Pass

As a gracious gift to the community, the developers have released a VIP Pass for a limited time. For only $1, backers at the $10 tier or higher will receive an additional six founder edition booster packs. Limit one per customer.

This is a fantastic deal for anyone trying to buy into the game as a collector or player. You can purchase your VIP Pass directly from the Paragon TCG website. Please note that the pass will only be honored if the campaign is successful, otherwise, backers will receive a full refund. Since the game was fully backed the first time, I doubt there will be any issues this time around.

Impressions

Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem is an interesting enough game. It has beautiful art, a fun gameplay loop, and a growing passionate community. If you are still unsure about backing the project, there are a couple of ways to try the game for free.

If you have Tabletop Simulator, the official Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem module gets regular support and is a fantastic place to start. Not only are there regular official events held through TTS by the developers, but you are sure to find other passionate fans ready for a game on Discord.

If you don’t have TTS, the developers have print-n-play proxies of the starter kits ready for anyone wanting to hop into a physical game. There are four different decks you can download and try, make sure you try them all.

I can’t wait to see where this game goes, until then, make sure you back Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem on Kickstarter.

Backing Tiers

Alterd TCG’s First Set, Beyond the Gates, is Officially in Stores!

September 15, 2024 josechurape 2 Comments

Six months after a successful Kickstarter Campaign, Altered TCG is officially in stores and in the mail for anticipating fans. If you want to experience the game that pulled over $2 million in funding, check with your LGS for products and events. There is also an active Discord for players to stay updated on all the news, join an extremely welcoming community, and even find a game or two.

What is Altered TCG?

Altered TCG is a unique trading card game with interesting mechanics and no combat. Set off an adventure in a race against your friend. With help from members of your faction, be the first to travel across the beautiful and wonderous Asgartha peninsula. What secrets will you uncover? What memories will you make?

How to play

Altered TCG is one of the easier trading cards to learn, but also one that will take some time to master. Its mechanics are simple, yet engaging, making it the ideal card game for players looking for a good place to start in the space. The gameplay does offer enough engaging interactions to satisfy most veterans from more competitive games. If you want to learn how to play Altered, there is an official tutorial on Board Game Arena. Board Game Arena is also a great place to play the game without having to buy cards or print out your own. Maindeck has a great tutorial that you should check out as well.

Quick start guide

Having the rules handy is also a good idea. If you’re only trying out the game, I recommend starting with the quickstart guide. Players get a solid sense of the gameplay loop without being overwhelmed. It is always good to start small with any TCG and slowly dive into the more complex mechanics, especially if you lack the experience. I’ll leave a copy of the quickstart guide, but you can pick up the guide and a more comprehensive version of the rulebook on the official website.

2024_Altered_TCG_Quick_Rules_2.0_EN Download

Impressions

I printed out some of the decks from the official print-n-play files available on the site when Altered TCG was first announced, and loved the experience. I think the gameplay is creative, the mechanics are good, and the art is beautiful. Its gameplay loop is sure to attract the fans of board games, and its simple mechanics make it the perfect beginner TCG. With the tremendous support it received during its Kickstarter campaign, I am convinced that there will be enough of a scene to keep it alive through a few more sets. Make sure you check with your LGS for a scene or product.

1 / 6

The only issue I can see Altered having is the QR codes. Altered TCG boasts about its “phygital” ecosystem where players can scan and keep track of their collection on the official app for both Android and IOS devices. The game will also release one-of-a-kind alters of existing cards each set for a bit of added FOMO. This online database is intended to be used to facilitate trading and the buying of singles, but we will have to wait for its execution to determine its effectiveness. At the moment, this feature gives off NFT vibes which is going to rub some folks the wrong way. The QR also creates an awkward aesthetic that I am not sure I like. I do like the idea of being able to easily keep track of my collection, and the idea of a player-driven market, but the one-of-a-kind cards might end up creating some unnecessary fomo. Here’s hoping the scalpers don’t make it impossible to buy products as they have done with other collectibles.

Regardless of how you feel about the “phygital” aspect of the game, the gameplay is fun and is worth at least trying once. If you don’t want to buy the product, there are official print-and-play files for all the starter decks and accessories. If you don’t have a printer, the Board Game Arena module provides a solid digital experience, and you can always find people to play with on the official Discord. When you do end up liking the game, make sure you pick up your Beyond The Gates product from your LGS.

Board Games and TCGs

Vaesen is the Prettiest Mystery TTRPG You Need at Your Table

August 12, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of the Veasen core rulebook to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

What is Vaesen?

Long ago, Vaesen and man lived side by side in harmony. Vaesen are powerful creatures with the power to control the world around it. Man would make offerings to the Vaesen in exchange for their powers. The Vaesen would make it rain, fill the forests with game, and anything else supernatural. As the industrial age dawned on Sweden, people began their migration to the big cities. Soon, there was no need for the Vaesen’s power and they slowly faded into fairy tales. Most lost their ability to see Vaesen.

Man may have lost their ability to see Vaesen, but the creatures live on in their separate world alongside man. The Vaesen keep to themselves for the most part. Occasionally, however, man’s impact on the planet goes too far and sends the Vaesen into a terrorizing rage. Stories circulate of castles haunted by terrifying ghosts, of witches that snatch up children in the middle of the night, or of trolls terrorizing villages. The people have learned to cope with the unexplainable, and most have forgotten about the Vaesen.

But not all is lost. The society was formed to keep man safe from rampaging Vaesen. The society is a secret organization made up of the few people left in this world with the ability to see Vaesen. People gain this ability by experiencing some kind of supernatural trauma. While these folks may not be the most stable, they are humanity’s only hope.

Gather your friends as you investigate the supernatural in this dark and edgy tabletop roleplaying game. Can you bring peace to the Vaesen before it is too late?

The book

The Veasen core rulebook is the prettiest RPG book you’re ever going to own. The cover and pages are textured to feel like an old book. The formatting is easy to read and search through. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. The art style is amazing and the use of color is astounding. I’ve read this book as a PDF, but nothing beats flipping through its pages. This is a very high-quality book and one that elevates the look and feel of any bookcase and table.

Gameplay

Vaesen is a D6 system that is easy to learn. Players will spend their sessions investigating mysteries and trying to bring peace to a raging Vaesen. This doesn’t have to mean combat. Vaesen seems to be a more roleplay-heavy system due to how investigations work, but you can always adjust the rules to fit the needs of your table. If you would like to learn how to play Vaesen before picking up the game, AlchemyRPG has a solid tutorial series. They also have a very good official module for their VTT. If you’re planning to run Vaesen online and don’t mind doing it through theater of the mind, AlchemyRPG might be the solution you’re looking for. I am not affiliated with the company, I just like the module.

Impressions

Veasen is a terrific RPG that deserves some attention. The system is unique and easy to learn, and the book is full of fantastic lore and flavor. The rulebook contains everything Gamemaster’s need to run a successful mystery, and there is even a prewritten module for those who need it. I felt like the system is better when players can get into character, struggle with their flaws, and roleplay through the investigation. While I am sure you can make the adjustments to focus on the needs of your table, the game is meant to be a monster of the week mystery-type game. I do like that there is a combat and skill system because things are better with RNG. Besides, it doesn’t matter what type of game you want to run, you’re players are always going to want to hit things.

The game has a tremendous amount of flavor. Even if you don’t end up playing a game of Vaesen, it’s going to be hard not to, you’re going to enjoy reading through the monster profiles. The lore is so good, and it reads like a fairy tale. The classes are all unique, but I like that they aren’t restricting. Classes feel like they are suggestions for roleplay because players have the freedom to play the character how they want. I like that the book gives a good amount of ideas for all sorts of creation for those who need it. The book ends with a well-written first mystery, making the core rulebook an invaluable resource for both players and gamemasters looking into running the game.

If you enjoy murder mystery roleplay, dig the 20’s aesthetic, or want something new to run at your table, check out Veasen. It is a beautiful book with some amazing lore that belongs on a lot more tables.

You can pick up the Vaesen rulebook in Hardcover on Amazon for $49.99 (Currently $40.79) through my affiliate link. If you don’t care about physical media, you can grab the PDF over on DriveThruRPG for $24.99.

Kryptik Studios LLC Announces Start of New Competitive Season

July 31, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

The Kryptik TCG recently changed leadership after announcing that it would no longer exist as a TCG. There was talk of turning the game into an LCG, but the community came together to give the TCG its second life. You can read about the drama in my previous post.

This announcement caused a few ripples in the community. Some fans felt disheartened by the news. To them, it felt like they wasted money on another dead TCG busy making empty promises. The damage has been done and there is no mending this relationship. Despite a small exodus, some fans stuck around and continue to hold on to hope for the game that they love. A lot of the hope seems to be inspired by the passion the new leadership continues to carry for Kryptik. I for one am curious to see where this passion takes them.

Passion alone won’t be enough to restore the faith that has been lost. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, and a bit of radio silence since the change. Today, the silence has been broken, and a new competitive season has been announced on the official Discord. Starting August 17th, Kryptik Studios LLC will be hosting online tournaments on Discord through Tabletop Simulator.

The Announcement:

We are happy to announce that we are going to start hosting weekly tournaments through Tabletop Simulator (TTS). We will be using a points system called Kryptik Currency, which will allow participants to spend their Kryptik Currency to get promotional cards, sealed products and more. Each season will last 6 weeks beginning on August 17th. At the end of each season, we will give out prizes to the top 11 ranked players. We will be announcing additional prizing in the weeks leading up to the tournament season. At the end of four seasons, there will be a tournament between the top 8 players with the highest total points with additional exclusive prizing.

The prizing for the first season is as follows:

1st Place
- 1 set of Overlord Wave 2 Genesis Promos
- 9 Randomized Foil Lore Cards Story Choice: Does Selene seek retribution against Livia for the death of Boudicca?
2nd Place
- 1 set of Overlord Wave 2 Genesis Promos
- 6 Randomized Foil Lore Cards Story Choice: How does Andras handle Dookraka, his friend and mentor’s death?
3rd & 4th Place
- 1 Flanagan, 1 Davy and 1 Tocho Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
- 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards
5th – 8th Place
- 1 Sylvi and Dumuzi Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
- 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards.
9th – 11th Place
- 1 Midnight Meander Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
- 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards.
Players will also be able to earn points for the season called Kryptik Currency, which can be exchanged for products in the future. The point breakdown works as follows…
Participation in all rounds of the tournament: 5 KC (Kryptik Currency) Loss: 1 KC Draw: 2 KC Win: 3 KC Special Rules Bonus (Per Event): 5 KC

Players will also be able to earn points for the season called Kryptik Currency, which can be exchanged for products in the future. The point breakdown works as follows:

Participation in all rounds of the tournament: 5 KC (Kryptik Currency)
Loss: 1 KC
Draw: 2 KC
Win: 3 KC
Special Rules Bonus (Per Event): 5 KC

It is cool to see official events because as cool as it is to collect the cards, there needs to be a thriving player base to move cardboard.

Attonement

While not everyone got a chance to get their hands on the limited run of Atonement by Speedrobo games, we were assured that there is an official run coming. Although, you might not have missed out on much. Some of the folks who received their Wave 0 have voiced complaints about the smell and quality of the product. The promo cards I received as compensation after an error on their part made me lose my preorder are already curled. Dropping Speedrobo Games as their official printer is starting to make a lot of sense.

In an official post on the discord, the community manager has made this promise:

In the near future, you will see how atonement was meant to be. W0 will become an afterthought. We are returning to our roots. Enlisting the best of the Genesis artists to create artwork we have all come to love.

It is very good to see a company acknowledging their mistakes and working with their community to do better. We will have to wait for the next Kryptik product to see if they can keep their promise. In the meantime, updates are being made to the official Kryptik Tabletop Simulator module to include the new Atonement cards, and they look sick!

Conclusion

I can’t wait to see where this new leadership takes this game. What I’ve seen so far is impressive, but I will need to see some new product before I go make any firm decisions. I’ll keep following the game and wishing them the best.

If you want to learn more about Kryptik, make sure you join the official Discord, and make sure you start getting ready for the new season!

Genesis TCG Returns with Metamorphosis Kickstarter

July 14, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

The Genesis TCG returns to Kickstarter with a unique campaign, a new design, and a lot of ambition. The state of the Genesis TCG has been a mystery since its abrupt end in April 2023 when its parent company, Haunted Castle Gaming, announced its closure. Since then, a group of dedicated and passionate fans have come together to keep the game they love alive. The game is now under the proud ownership of Edge of Exile Entertainment. We will have to see if their passion and love for the game will translate to its success.

Since the change of ownership, Genesis has seen a new impressive card design. I am impressed with the game’s new identity, but I’ll have to see the cards in person before I can make a definitive claim.

The canceled invitation set was also released under Edge of Exile’s leadership and new design., and the set looks good. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to get any product, so I’ll just settle for looking at the list online.

The game will have to rebuild trust as it competes for a player base. The game’s sudden initial closure has left the game with some sour connotations. Nobody wants to invest in a game with no future. Edge of Exile has addressed this issue on their Kickstarter page. The company has successfully released an expansion since its induction, albeit one that was already done before the closure. The company also has an established and proven relationship with distributors and a few game stores. They are also trying to get back onto TCG Player, and hopefully give more players access to the game.

The Kickstarter

Backing the Metamorphosis Kickstarter gets you a set of the alt art cards for all the champions featured in the set. $50 gets you a non-foil set and $92 gets you both foil and non-foil. There is additional swag and goodies at higher tiers. The money earned from this campaign goes to paying the printers. Metamorphosis will go to printing once the $29, 311 has been pledged.

What is Genesis TCG

Genesis TCG is a 5×6 grid based tactical TCG. Players move their champions through the arena, and the first player to kill all enemy champions wins. This is a very unique way of dealing with the TCG.Check out the tutorial to see if the game is right for you:

Thoughts

I’ve always been interested in Genesis because I found it to be an interesting concept for a trading card game. Unfortunately, the game died right as I was about to start buying product. I was surprised to see the Kickstarter. I had stopped following the game, and sort of forgot about it. It’s cool to see that the game hasn’t been abandoned, especially by its most loyal fans. It makes it easy to root for.

Most Kickstarter TCGs sell boxes and starter decks, but Edge of Exile is limited by their established agreement with their distributors. They don’t want to take away sales from the stores that will carry their game. While this is an admirable act, it makes the campaign hard to sell.

Having alt-art versions of the champions is awesome if you already have a deck to play with. New players trying to pick up the game will have to hope they can also find product after launch, and it’s a bit discouraging. While $50 is reasonable for a set of exclusive alt-art cards, it is a steep price for someone who hasn’t played the game before. It would be cool if they had a print-n-play option to help people decide. This seems like a campaign geared toward those hopeful for the longevity of the game or established fans of the game.

The fans of the game will be divided by this campaign. Those who are loyal and dedicated have already pledged and secured their exclusive playsets, some even at a discount. Other fans have been made weary by the string of dead and dying indie TCGs. The TCG space is unforgiving. If Edge of Exile doesn’t do enough, Genesis isn’t getting the resurgence it deserves.

I’ll be rooting for the success of the campaign because I like the idea of a game company run by its players. There seems to be a lot of ambition and passion behind this attempt at resurrection, and I will be following it closely for its definitive outcome.

If you’ve played Genesis, want to bling out your deck, or want to get into the game, you’re going to want to help with this Kickstarter. It is the only way Metamorphasis gets printed. Even though there is a proven record, there is always risk when backing a Kickstarter. Follow your gut.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive Releases Statement Regarding Game Accessibility

July 2, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

If you’re getting into Grand Archive or have been following for a moment, you’ve probably the outrageous pricing for singles. We’re in the moment of Grand Archive history where the demand for cards is higher than the supply. This is frustrating for those trying to onboard into the competitive scene but is priced out of important staples. On one hand, I understand the frustration, but I also understand the need for appropriate scaling. No one wants to be left with a wear house full of merch they can’t move.

Fortunately, there are plans for reprints of staples in future sets and possibly reprints of sets already on the market, possibly in an altered edition. A Statement Regarding Game Accessibility was posted today on the game’s official X account. The statement reads:

Thus begins the waiting game. The key takeaway is that future sets will reprint key staples like Dungeon Guide, which hopefully means the market will stabilize. While Grand Archive is nowhere near as expensive as some of the other big TCGs, it is expensive for new folks trying to enjoy some games at their LGS. I hate that I can’t support my LGS because they don’t have any stock.

I hope this announcement means more reprints, a bigger community, and a more accessible price point for entry. We will have to wait and see, but I have faith in a company that has been doing everything right so far.

If you’re mad about singles pricing, I would save up for future sets and reprints. You can enjoy games on TTS on the official Discord in the meantime. If you don’t want to wait to get into the competitive scene, I’m sure you can justify the premium with all the fun you’re about to have. Whatever you decide, welcome to Grand Archive!

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG Meta Watch: Michigan Regionals 06/30/24

July 1, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

The Michigan Regionals were this weekend, and Lorraine Wind Allies remain on top. While Tristain continues to prove herself as a top-contending meta deck, the splash of Nico taking second is a welcomed surprise. There were a few other neat deck ideas at the event, but I will only focus on the top three. Make sure you check out the full event for more inspiration.

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. I’ll be leaving TCG Player affiliate links for singles. Using them really helps me out!

1. Lorraine Wind Allies – Matt #162 (5 – 0 – 1)

Material Deck

Main Deck

Material Deck
1 Gwendolyn, Spirit of Wind
1 Lorraine, Wandering Warrior
1 Backup Charger
1 Eye of Argus
1 Grand Crusader’s Ring
1 Ornamental Greatsword
1 Poisoned Coating Oil
1 Safeguard Amulet
1 Smoke Bombs
1 Sword of Seeking
1 Tariff Ring
1 Wind Resonance Bauble

Main Deck
4 Charged Mannequin
4 Lurking Assailant
4 Manufacture Cell
4 Andronika, Eternal Herald
4 Armored Valkyrie
4 Eternal Magistrate
4 Fairy Whispers
3 Favorable Winds
4 Rallied Advance
3 Reclaim
4 Rose, Eternal Paragon
4 Second Wind
4 Shimmercloak Assassin
4 Stifling Trap
4 Windrider Vanguard
2 Zephyr

Sideboard
1 Water Resonance Bauble
3 Reprogram
4 Trained Hawk
3 Verdigris Decree
2 Zephyr

2. Mono Water

Material Deck

Main Deck

Material Deck
1 Spirit of Serene Water
1 Tonoris, Lone Mercenary
1 Nico, Whiplash Allure
1 Backup Charger
1 Bulwark Sword
1 Grand Crusader’s Ring
1 Smoke Bombs
1 Tithe Proclamation
1 Magebane Lash
1 Scepter of Lumina
1 Tideholder Claymore
1 Vaporjet Shield

Main Deck
1 Turbo Charge
1 Cell Sharpshooter
3 Cerulean Decree
4 Diffusive Block
4 Fractal of Rain
4 Fracturize
4 Freezing Steel
4 Frostsworn Paladin
4 Icebound Slam
4 Lost in Thought
3 Lunete, Frostbinder Priest
4 Ravishing Finale
4 Refracting Missile
3 Revitalizing Cleanse
4 Storm of Thorns
3 Tidal Sweep
4 Vaporjet Shieldbearer
2 Waverider Protector

Sideboard
1 Tariff Ring
2 Heavy Swing
2 Incapacitate
3 Resolute Stand
1 Turbo Charge
2 Cell Sharpshooter
2 Frostbind

3. Wind Tristan – tyguy #7388 (4 – 1 – 1)

Main Deck

Material Deck
1 Spirit of Wind
1 Tristan, Underhanded
1 Tristan, Hired Blade
1 Tristan, Shadowdancer
1 Tristan, Shadowreaver
1 Assassin’s Ripper
1 Backup Charger
1 Grand Crusader’s Ring
1 Poisoned Dagger
1 Safeguard Amulet
1 Windwalker Boots
1 Shadow’s Claw

Main Deck
4 Dungeon Guide
2 Incapacitate
4 Mastermind Scheme
4 Sable Remnant
4 Sadi, Blood Harvester
2 Slice and Dice
1 Turbo Charge
4 Corhazi Outlook
1 Disorienting Winds
3 Ensnaring Fumes
4 Fairy Whispers
2 Innervate Agility
4 Reclaim
4 Stifling Trap
4 Surveil the Winds
4 Veiling Breeze
4 Windmill Engineer
4 Shadowstrike
1 Umbra Sight

Sideboard
2 Incapacitate
3 Reprogram
3 Arrow Trap
3 Cleansing Reunion
3 Sirocco Operative
1 Innervate Agility

Board Games and TCGs

Pathfinder 2E: Wardens of Wildwood – Pactbreaker 1st Impression

June 27, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of the Pathfinder Adventure Path: Wardens of Wildwood 1: Pactbreaker by Andrew White to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. I haven’t had a chance to run the game, but these are my honest first impressions.

What is Wardens of Wildwood?

Wardens of Wildwood is a three-book adventure module for your next Pathfinder campaign. Pactbreaker is the first of the books.

The Greenwood Gala is held in honor of the yearly signing of the treaty between the empire of Taldor and the citizens of the Verduran Forest. The treaty allows for peaceful and regulated trade between the two groups. This Gala is a large festival held leading up to the signing of this treaty, and it attracts people from all over to join in this magical week of revelry.

This year’s Gala is going to be big, and the organizers need additional volunteers. You and your party have been recruited to help keep the peace, but not without enjoying the festivities. The festivities end abruptly when several of the Verduran Forest’s leaders are murdered. It is now up to your party to find out the culprits and return peace to the forest without spilling too muchblood shed. Do you have what it takes?

The Book

The adventure comes in a nicely printed softcover book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the quality is sturdy. You will get a crease in the cover from use, but it isn’t a deal breaker. While hardcovers are always nice, I do appreciate the small form factor. The whole adventure is the size of a magazine, which makes transportation and storage incredibly easy. The included maps feel a little small, but you can cut them out or make copies if you would like to use them. Overall, Pactbreaker is a fine and quality product from our friends over at Piazo.

Impressions

Pactbreaker is the first part of the Wardens of Wildwood adventure path. All three parts are now available for purchase, but I only have access to Pactbreaker at the moment. I’ll be working on getting the other two installments. Stay tuned for that.

Pactbreaker is designed to take adventurers from levels 5 – 8. The idea is to give players access to a character that can make an impact in the world but still has room to grow. I enjoy running level 5 campaigns because players have enough tools to make things fun without being overpowered.

One important thing to note is that you will need access to the 2nd Edition rulebook. While most of the adventure is self contained within the book’s pages, it does not contain the rules. There is a list of supplemental reading materials for additional background and context for the campaign setting, but it isn’t needed. You can run this campaign with just the adventure book and a copy of the rulebook.

I like the flavor of the campaign. If you like woodland fantasy with cool druids, living plants, and ancient turtles, Pactbreaker is a great place to start. The adventure has cool lore, an interesting cast of NPCs, and some neat monsters that can carry into your other campaigns.

The adventure starts with a couple of encounters, but the focus of the first chapter is the downtime activities. I did find the initial encounters flavorful and open to creative solutions. I am sure your players will find a way to break them.

A big part of the first chapter will be spent on gaining influence with the various important NPCs and playing festival games. If you have ever wanted to run a festival in your campaign, the book has a good amount of rules for how to run all sorts of games. While the adventure will eventually have dungeon crawls and combat, your table should be comfortable enough with each other to participate in the festival. I can see this section being the most fun if your players are into the roleplay.

Pactbreaker is a great way to start your adventure in Verduran Forest if you don’t mind running a festival. I don’t think the festival is bad, I’ll be using some of the games in future adventures, but it isn’t going to be a fit for everyone. Once you get past the Gala, the adventure has a solid pace and a decent mystery. It definitely made me excited for part two.

You can pick up Wards of Wildwood: Pactbreaker on Amazon (using my affiliate link) or the official Paizo website for $29.99 ($19.99 for the pdf). If you run games online, you can pick up the official Foundry Module on the official Paizo website for $14.99. If you don’t know what Foundry is, check out my full review.

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